Archive for
September 10th, 2008

The AFK reports: Los Angeles-bound guard Sun Yue has said he does not want to be known as “China’s Magic Johnson” as he seeks a spot on the Laker’s roster, but is happy to be known as the “Monkey King.” Sun is expected to depart for the Laker’s training camp as soon as the US Embassy here issues his visa, and he is confident that he can make a roster that is led by superstars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. “I don’t want to be called the next Magic Johnson,” Sun told the China Daily of the nickname given him to by the Chinese sporting press.

InsideHoops.com editor says: From today on, I now insist on being called the Chinese Magic Johnson. No, I’m not Chinese, but if the title is available I’m claiming it until something better comes along.

The Houston Chronicle (Ruth Rendon) reports: Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will stand trial next month on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a judge ruled today. County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes set an Oct. 22 trial for Alston, 32, after a brief discussion with attorneys… The charge against Alston is considered a misdemeanor because it would be his first DWI offense.

The AP reports: Former Kansas teammates Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers were fined $20,000 apiece after being banished last week from the NBA rookie symposium, the league said Wednesday. Security at the resort near New York where the event took place found Arthur and Chalmers in a room with two women, and the scent of marijuana was detected.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The two players were chillin. Some women wanted them. They did what most guys would do. I’m randomly speculating that the women brought the marijuana, not the players. The guys probably felt like rock stars. And before it dawned on them to quickly smarten up and end the evening, they got caught.

NYKnicks.com reports: Patrick Ewing Jr, the son of the Knicks legend and Hall of Famer, will wear No. 6 when he suits up for New York in 2008-09, rather than don his famous father’s 33. “I’m going to wear No. 6,” said the 6-foot-8, 240-pound swing forward. “It was my dad’s Olympic number, and Bill Russell’s number, who was my favorite player.”

“My dad’s jersey’s hanging up there in the rafter’s for a reason,” said Ewing Jr. to NYKnicks.com. “The only reason I wore 33 at Georgetown is because they don’t retire numbers. I felt like I did 33 for him there, and now I can do six here and it’s another way to honor him.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: I approve of this decision. Number 33 belongs to the real Patrick Ewing, and that’s that.

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have extended the contract of Head Coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to be able to extend Doc’s contract. Doc molded a championship team last season through his leadership and we are confident that he is the man to lead this franchise on the court now and in the future.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manager.

Rivers led the Celtics to their NBA-record 17th NBA Championship while leading the Celtics to an NBA-record 42 game turnaround. The Marquette grad became the first Celtics coach in NBA history to have been honored as the NBA’s Coach of the Month three times in the same season during the 2007-08 campaign. Rivers led the Celtics to their third highest record in franchise history during the 2007-08 season when the team was an NBA-best 66-16.

In the four seasons that Rivers has coached the Celtics he has amassed a career record of 168-160 (.512). In the 2007-08 campaign Rivers became the sixth Celtics coach in franchise history to have been named a coach for the NBA All-Star game joining Arnold “Red” Auerbach, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Bill Fitch and Chris Ford. Rivers also joins Auerbach, Heinsohn, Jones, Fitch and Bill Russell as Celtics coaches to have led their team to an NBA Championship.

InsideHoops.com says: When your team wins the championship, you often get a contract extension. No surprise. Doc’s doing well in Boston.